Body Language (game show)

Body Language was an American television game show that aired on CBS from June 4, 1984, to January 4, 1986. Hosted by Tom Kennedy, the show featured two teams, each composed of a celebrity player and a civilian contestant. The teams competed by trying to interpret charades-like actions performed by the celebrity players.

Gameplay:

The core of Body Language involved one celebrity from each team taking turns acting out words or phrases without speaking. Their partner then had to guess the correct answer within a limited time. A correct guess earned the team points. The difficulty of the charades varied, with more challenging clues earning more points.

Rounds:

The game typically consisted of multiple rounds, increasing in difficulty and point value as the game progressed. Later in its run, the show incorporated variations such as "Double Body Language," where both celebrities on a team acted simultaneously.

Bonus Round:

The team with the most points at the end of the main game advanced to the bonus round, known as the "Brain Wave" round. In this round, the civilian contestant had to guess a series of words or phrases acted out by the celebrity player within a tight time limit. Successfully completing the Brain Wave round awarded the contestant a grand prize, usually a cash jackpot.

Cancellation:

Despite achieving decent ratings during its initial run, Body Language was eventually cancelled due to increasing production costs and CBS's desire to revamp its daytime lineup.

Legacy:

While relatively short-lived, Body Language became a memorable part of 1980s daytime television. Its fast-paced gameplay and reliance on nonverbal communication made it a unique and entertaining game show format. It has since been referenced and occasionally revived in various forms, including as a segment on other game shows.